Benefits
Which health insurer pays for what?
The basics are the same everywhere, the extras are not.
The benefits you are legally entitled to are regulated in the same way at all health insurers. The differences lie in voluntary extras such as dental cleaning, osteopathy or travel vaccinations. Here is how it fits together and where to look.
Author: Jan Ortgies · As of 11 November 2026 · If a switch comes about through our comparison, we receive a fee from the new insurer, not from you.
Basics
Mandatory benefits and voluntary extras
- Mandatory benefits
- Doctors, hospital, prescribed medication, preventive care and, for most employees, sickness benefit are yours at every public insurer. The law regulates this in the same way for all. Family-insured people, students and self-employed people who have not expressly opted in receive no sickness benefit.
- Voluntary benefits (Satzungsleistungen)
- In certain areas insurers may offer more and set this out in their rules, for example for dental treatment, prescribed therapies such as physiotherapy (Heilmittel), assisted reproduction or additional vaccinations.
- Bonus programmes
- Every insurer offers a bonus for check-ups and vaccinations, usually for courses too, as money or as a subsidy.
- New from 2027
- From 2027 insurers may no longer offer homeopathic and anthroposophic medicines and treatments as a voluntary benefit under their rules.
- Extras can change
- Voluntary benefits are set out in the insurer’s rules (Satzung). It can change or drop them, and when you switch, the new insurer’s rules apply. Ask before treatment what currently applies.
Topics
What does the insurer pay for …
Limits
Where voluntary extras reach their limits
- Weight-loss injection
- Weight-loss medicines are excluded by law. More on this →
- Additional ultrasound in pregnancy
- Three ultrasound scans are provided for during pregnancy, and more where there is a medical reason. Germany’s Federal Office for Social Security (BAS), which supervises the nationwide insurers, does not allow additional scans without a medical reason as a voluntary benefit (circular of 2021). For regionally active insurers the state supervisory authorities are responsible.
- Skin cancer screening
- From age 35 you are entitled to it every two years (as things stand). For younger people some insurers have additional offers through special contracts, often only at participating practices.
How to proceed
How to find out what your insurer pays
- Check in the comparison
- In the calculator below, pick up to six benefits under “Selected benefits”. You then see, for the insurers listed there, whether and up to what amount they contribute according to the calculator. Only the insurer’s own information is binding.
- Ask the insurer
- Before treatment, ask in writing about the amount, conditions and proof required. That can save you trouble with reimbursement.
- Don’t forget the contribution
- An extra is only worth it if you use it. Weigh it against the difference in the additional contribution. Calculate your contribution →
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Are benefits the same at all health insurers?
What is a Satzungsleistung?
Do I lose extras when I switch insurer?
What does your help cost?
This page is general information based on our own research, without guarantee, and does not replace individual advice, legal or tax advice, medical advice or information from your insurer. Which voluntary benefits an insurer pays is set out in its rules and can change.
Sources: § 11 SGB V · § 65a SGB V · § 20i SGB V · BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 228
Why is the comparison free?
The comparison and advice on statutory health insurance cost you nothing. If a switch comes about through us, we receive remuneration from the new health insurer – not from you. Your contribution is the same as if you switched directly with the insurer, and you enter into no obligation.
for the comparison
You don't have to cancel your old health insurance yourself. Your new insurer handles the entire cancellation. You just briefly tell your employer which insurer you're switching to – the new insurer then sends them the membership certificate (Mitgliedsbescheinigung) electronically.
The entire switch happens online. No public office, no fax, no waiting room. Your membership application takes just a few minutes to submit online.
All statutory health insurers open nationwide are obliged to accept members – with no health check and no waiting period. Company health insurers (Betriebskrankenkassen) may be restricted to certain groups of people.